MILNE, Arthur Douglas
| Service Number: | 803 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 12 June 1917 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 2nd Machine Gun Company |
| Born: | Allansford, Victoria, Australia, 1895 |
| Home Town: | Warrnambool, Warrnambool, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Allansford, , Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 12 April 1982, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Fawkner Memorial Park Cemetery, Victoria Roman Catholic ZC, Grave 278 |
| Memorials: | Greensborough RSL Sub Branch Memorial Wall |
World War 1 Service
| 12 Jun 1917: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 803 | |
|---|---|---|
| 26 Nov 1917: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 803, 2nd Machine Gun Company | |
| 17 Mar 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Kaye Brill
Arthur Douglas Milne, son of William Abraham Milne, and Lucy Gillow was born 1895 at Allansford, Victoria, Australia.
Arthur was the fourth child and eldest son of 6 children (2 boys and 4 girls).
Prior to enlisting in the Australian Imperial Force Arthur (AIF) was working as a labourer whilst living with his parents at 248 Timor Street Warrnambool, Victoria.
Arthur was also a serving member of the 20th Australian Light Horse when he enlisted in the AIF.
On 12 June 1917, Arthur enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Warrnambool. Arthur served primarily with the 2nd Machine Gun Company, Reinforcement 15.
Arthur embarked from Melbourne on 26 November 1917 on board the Steamship ‘SS Indarra’ finally arriving at Southampton, England on 2nd February 1918.
During WW1, Arthur served mainly in France (Boulogue, Havre). As well as serving with the 2nd Machine Gun Company Arthur also served with the following Australian Units: 10th Machine Gun Company; 3rd Machine Gun Company; 57th Battalion; 8th Depot Unit of Supply and 24th Depot Unit of Supply.
On 9 August 1918, while stationed with the 10th Machine Gun Company, it is reported a tank drove over both of Arthur's feet while he was sleeping in a 'slit' he had dug for himself. This incident may help explain why Arthur had a lasting noticeable limp.
Arthur returned to Melbourne, Victoria on 2 March 1919 aboard the ship ‘Demosthenes’ and was discharged on 17 March 1919 in Melbourne.
Private Arthur Douglas Milne, Service Number - 803 was awarded the British War Medal, No 71387 and Victory Medal, No 68195 for his WW1 service.
Arthur’s younger brother, James William Milne, also enlisted in the Australian Infantry Forces. James, age 21 enlisted on 18 May 1916; he served mainly in France with the Anzac Cyclist Battalion, Reinforcement 2. James returned to Australia on 30 April 1919.
On returning to Australia, Arthur returned to live with his parents in Warrnambool whilst working as a labourer in and around the area. Arthur worked at Naringal (20 km East of Warrnambool) from about 1930 to about 1938.
In 1937, Arthur age 42 married Mary Catherine Wilkins age 33 at Warrnambool. Mary, daughter of John Stewart Wilkins and Bridget Catherine Buggy was born 1904 at Warrnambool, Victoria; died 23 March 1986 age 82 at Parkville, Victoria (there were no children from this marriage).
After their marriage, Arthur and his wife moved to Melbourne where they lived at both No 82 and No 369 Barclay Street, Brunswick, Victoria for many, many years prior to their deaths (from mid 1940s to 1986). Whilst living in Brunswick and until his retirement in 1962, Arthur worked as a Wood Sawyer.
Arthur wearing his best suit, tie and hat and Mary often took day trips to Chelsea, Victoria by train to visit and enjoy afternoon tea with Arthur’s cousin, Irene Stanger (nee Mitchell).
Arthur died 12 April 1982 age 87 at Melbourne. Arthur was buried 16 April 1982 at Fawkner Memorial Park, Hadfield, Victoria in the same grave as his wife Mary (Roman Catholic ZC, Grave 278).
References:
- Victoria Births, Death and Marriage records
- National Archives of Australia WW1 Service Records
- Australian Electoral Rolls 1903-1980
- Fawkner Park Cemetery Records
- Personal acquaintance
Compiled by Kaye 2019 (Granddaughter of Arthur’s first cousin, Irene Alice Jane Mitchell)